The steps for choosing a ladder
June 30th, 2020
At Brewers we
believe in helping our customers get the best results; if you’re happy then
we’re happy! Setting us apart from the competition is our independence and
therefore ability to provide impartial advice to our customers regarding all
manner of decorating products.
We’ve compiled
some valuable advice regarding ladders and access equipment from a wealth of
experience and sources.
With so many
options available and classifications in place, the area of ladders and access
equipment can be a daunting one. So
first, let’s tackle the classifications...
Classification Clarity
For all portable
ladders and step ladders being used on construction sites, the HSE (Health
& Safety Executive) require that they meet the standards of BS 2037 Class 1
or BS EN131 – but what does this actually
mean?
There are 3 grades
for ladders and step ladders in the UK classified by use, strength and
durability. Each grade is part of BS
2037, the British Standard for aluminium ladders, and bear the Kitemark.
The most relevant
for the professional decorator is BS EN131 as it covers ladders and
step ladders constructed from aluminium, steel, plastics or timber and
therefore likely to apply to the ladder you have in your van. Described as a ladder for ‘trade and light
industrial use’ i.e. low frequency and used in less onerous conditions, with a
duty rating of 115kg (18stones) this is the class that your ladder should
meet. If you’re not sure whether your
ladder meets the BS EN131 standards, contact the manufacturer or look for the
Kitemark.
‘Remember whichever type you use, it must meet the BS EN131 classification.’
The other two grades are:
· BS2037/BS1129 Class 1 for heavy duty and industrial use which may apply to customers carrying out additional trades to decorating, and
· BS2037/BS1129 Class 3 which is for domestic use, making it applicable only to our customers who are keen DIYers.
Selecting Sensibly
There are a wide variety of ladder types available, as you can imagine this is due to the widening working at height regulations and advancements in product development helping to provide access equipment that is suitable for a diverse range of situations. The key access equipment types are listed below, this should help you identify which products you might require – if in doubt, contact your local Brewers branch who will be able to guide you in the right direction.
Hop-ups and safe steps
These provide access for jobs that don’t really require a ladder, just a handy leg up! Easy to assemble and fold down again, it is something that most decorators will use on a day to day basis.
Step ladders
With choice from a varying number of treads, the step ladder is a common ladder used in the trade – generally lightweight yet sturdy it is great for most jobs.
Extension ladders
This type of ladder will allow you to select the appropriate height required as they can be adjusted depending on the job. There are double and triple extensions, the latter suiting jobs with higher requirements or simply easier transportation on a smaller vehicle.
Selecting Sensibly
There are a wide variety of ladder types available, as you can imagine this is due to the widening working at height regulations and advancements in product development helping to provide access equipment that is suitable for a diverse range of situations. The key access equipment types are listed below, this should help you identify which products you might require – if in doubt, contact your local Brewers branch who will be able to guide you in the right direction.
Hop-ups and safe steps
These provide access for jobs that don’t really require a ladder, just a handy leg up! Easy to assemble and fold down again, it is something that most decorators will use on a day to day basis.
Step ladders
With choice from a varying number of treads, the step ladder is a common ladder used in the trade – generally lightweight yet sturdy it is great for most jobs.
Extension ladders
This type of ladder will allow you to select the appropriate height required as they can be adjusted depending on the job. There are double and triple extensions, the latter suiting jobs with higher requirements or simply easier transportation on a smaller vehicle.
Telescopic ladders
A particularly
innovative piece of equipment, a telescopic ladder (evolved from the
traditional extension ladder) will collapse down to around a meter or less in
its closed state but can reach around 4 meters when extended. A neat piece of equipment for a small van!
Combination &
Multi-purpose ladders
As the name
suggests, a combination ladder can be assembled in a number of different ways
making it suitable for a variety of tasks.
Many combination ladders have a configuration that makes them suited for
use on stairs.
Surveyors’ ladders
These ladders are
adjustable in height but are supplied in a number of sections to easily fit in
smaller vehicles. Plus, they allow the
user to change the height depending on the job in hand.
Roof ladders
Working on a roof
demands equipment that you can rely on.
Roof ladders come fitted with strong hooks to steady the ladder giving
you peace of mind that you are safe and stable!
Access towers and Work
platforms
These come in a
variety of heights and offer the most secure and stable way of working at
height, however they’re not appropriate for every job. Their size makes them particularly suited to
external or industrial work.
Remember whichever
type you choose, it must meet the BS EN131 classification, buying your
equipment from Brewers means that you will be safe in the knowledge that your
ladder meets the specifications.
We’ve been
supplying ladders and access equipment to the trade for decades and this wealth
of experience helps us select the best products for our customers. Terry Wood, Brewers Purchasing Manager
comments on the product selection available at Brewers; “providing our
customers with the right products for the right job is a central value in our
product selection process. We have
specified Werner as our core access equipment brand as they are the world
leader in ladder design and manufacture with a proven track record that spans
more than 90 years. This means they can
offer a substantial range of high quality, industry standard pieces of
equipment. Their rigorous testing gives
us peace of mind that we are supplying only the best ladders to our customers.”
A selection of Werner ladders and steps are
available from every Brewers branch, however other brands can be supplied on
request such as Youngman.
Making Your Life Easier
To make your life
easier when up a ladder, we supply a range of accessories. These include roof hook kits, ladder stays,
ladder locks and rack clamps, plus Werner’s Lock-In System which customises
your Holster top ladder for the job in hand.
Particularly handy are their paint cup and disposable liners which lock
in to the top of the ladder, freeing up your hands for added convenience and of
course safety!
Ladder Advice and Safety
Keep checking the
Brewers site for trade events happening at your local branch; Werner are often
in attendance with their experts on hand to give advice regarding the right
ladder to use, tips for working at height, information about their products
plus demonstrations.
For those
professionals seeking further specific advice and support, Werner offer Ladder
Training at their Training Centre. Being
Ladder Association approved, this is an ideal way to get yourself and your team
up to speed on ladder safety.
If you have any
questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on help@brewers.co.uk or at your local branch.
